New Zealand And `Ugly American`

March 13, 1985|By Patrick DeVito.

WILLOWBROOK — The decision of the New Zealand government to ban nuclear-powered and/or nuclear-armed ships of the United States Navy from its ports and the subsequent reaction to this by the U.S. government is yet another example of the sad condition of U.S. foreign policy in regard to our allies. The New Zealand government, working in the best interests of its citizens and within reasonable limits, should be respected and not browbeaten for its decision.

The U.S., however, fearing other allies will soon follow New Zealand`s lead and ban U.S. nuclear arsenals--West Germany and Belgium being notable possibilities--has stated that New Zealand is not a faithful ally, which is untrue.

In reality, New Zealand is a staunch ally of the U.S. and has sincerely stated that it does not want this decision to affect U.S.-New Zealand unity. The Anzus Treaty, a symbol of this unity, signed by the U.S., New Zealand and Australia in 1951, is supposedly also threatened by the decision. A question posed by this line of thought is how U.S.-New Zealand relations and the Anzus Treaty survived the period between 1964 and 1976 when nuclear-powered ships of the U.S. Navy were not allowed in New Zealand ports.

Furthermore, Australia is only 1,200 miles southwest of New Zealand, not an entirely overwhelming distance in terms of logistics. If desperate circumstances arise and the ports are needed, it is possible that New Zealand will open them to nuclear ships. The State Department may be overreacting to the consequences of the decision.

Our allies, being autonomous governments and not states of the union, have the right to govern themselves and deserve respect. With a little more care and concern, the State Department can prevent the image of the Ugly American from resurfacing in the eyes of our friends and allies.